On the southern tip of Japan’s Kyushu Island is Kagoshima Prefecture, most famous for Sakurajima, its active volcano, high-quality green tea and imo shochu (sweet potato shochu), must-try kurobuta black pork and kuroushi black beef, and a deep history relating to samurai and the Meiji Restoration. Those looking to discover peace amongst nature also head here for the area’s plentiful beaches, mountains, hiking trails, and cycling routes.
Although the area known as Nansatsu is relatively small, it has its own unique charms, bringing visitors from far and wide, including the Fukiage Sand Festival—where sculptures crafted from sand come to life each year—and the famous Nansatsu cycling routes, combining eco-friendly activities with unforgettable views.
Throughout this area are also an untapped treasure of ryokan inns and temple stays, promising that no matter why you came, you’ll have a chance to truly immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture and hospitality.
Let’s wander through the recommended accommodation of Nansatsu, shall we?
Ibusuki Hakusuikan
Ibusuki Hakusuikan is a Japanese inn set against Nansatsu’s aromatic pine trees, overlooking Kagoshima Bay and into the ocean beyond. Inside, the inn’s rooms are equally photogenic, featuring traditional tatami floors, Western beds and futons, chabudai floor-seating dining tables in calming scenes of warm woods and muted color palettes.
For those who decide to treat themselves to an upgraded room, you’ll also have space to relax in separate living areas, on your own balcony, or with sweeping views over Kagoshima Bay, an idyllic backdrop for your morning coffee or evening sake.
Experience the seasonal inspirations of Japanese kaiseki cuisine at one of the inn’s three restaurants—promising a range of local flavors and ingredients—or soak after a long day in the inn’s natural onsen hot springs, with both indoor and open-air options available. After your breakfast, perhaps take a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool or wander through the Japanese garden and let the sights and sounds of Japan’s nature melt your worries away.
Satsuma Denshokan
On the same grounds is the Satsuma Denshokan, a museum and art gallery that has received a Michelin Green Guide rating. Within, Satsuma’s history and local craftsmanship is on display for all to see, passed down for future generations to understand the important role Satsuma played during the Meiji Period (1868–1912).
Explore Satsuma ware pottery crafted from Ibusuki soil, browse handmade exhibits once to Europe for the 1867 World Expo in Paris, and learn how Satsuma became a gateway to the world once Japan opened its borders—all of which will be warmly explained by an English-speaking guide, sharing the hidden tales behind each piece.
Saraku Sand Bath Hall
While in the area, head to Saraku Sand Bath Hall for a must-try Ibusuki experience: the rejuvenating art of sunamushi sand bathing. Only around six minutes by car from Hakusuikan Ryokan, lie in the geothermally heated sands up to your shoulders and completely refresh your body and mind in a way you can’t do anywhere else.
Matsuya Ryokan
Offering locals and travelers a place to relax and experience true Japanese hospitality since 1916, Matsuya Ryokan has been passed down from generation to generation. With sea, mountains, sky and locals nearby, immerse yourself in Minamisatsuma’s rich culture and natural sights.
Partially renovated in 2017, the facility now offers a barrier-free entrance, dining room, restrooms, and guest rooms (Kame-no-Ma), meaning that everyone can immerse themselves in the luxury and hospitality of a Japanese inn.
The wide variety of rooms available at this stylish ryokan mean that there’s a calming, chic space for every kind of traveler. On the first floor, choose between luxurious Western-style beds or Japanese-style futons, each in a calming setting of tatami-mat floors, washi paper lanterns, sliding shoji doors, and a low table for private dining moments. On the second floor, equally lavish rooms may catch your eye, easing you into your stay with soft natural lighting and elegant, Japanese décor.
No traditional Japanese inn is complete without the rejuvenating waters of hot spring baths, of which Matsuya has two: Nomadake no Yu, an accessible luxury for all with its no-step entrance, and Kinpo no Yu, offering two small bathtubs for private soaks. Both accommodate families, offering nursing chairs and mats on request.
Another plus for family escapes is the Kids' Room, a space next to the dining room where little ones can play. Should you need to, it is possible to request this space for private use, though this will be based on availability.
Experience Japanese kaiseki cuisine
The inn’s kaiseki multi-course meals are carefully handcrafted from local ingredients, allowing your taste buds to explore the region’s seasonal bounties. Pair your meal with the perfect wine, personally recommended by the fourth-generation proprietress, who is also a certified sommelier.
Much like the seasons bring their own unique colors and flavors to the table, the diversity of the inn’s dining rooms means there’s a space for every occasion. Opt for a more intimate meal in one of their smaller rooms, accommodating between four to 14 people, relax in the medium banquet hall with up to 35 people, or experience the best of local Japanese cuisine with up to 120 people in the large banquet hall.
Exclusive shochu and food pairing menu: In collaboration with local tourism association, Matsuya Ryokan is offering an exclusive 8-course and 7-drink shochu and food pairing menu from ¥12,000*.
*Please note that this limited-time menu may not be available during your stay.
Go cycling in Minamisatsuma
See a new side to the area with a guided cycling tour, exploring local spots with rental bicycles. Electric bikes made pedaling a breeze, allowing you to take in the sights without breaking a sweat, while the bike batteries are charged via solar panels—making the bikes themselves as sustainable as the activity.
As an added bonus, there are also bikes with child seats, so the whole family can get a feel for local life in Minamisatsuma.
Seiryuji temple stay
A Seiryuji temple stay is truly like no other, allow you to tap into mindful Zen practices while being surrounded by nature in its 100,000 square-meter temple grounds, featuring an expansive Japanese garden maintained by Buddhist monks and a unique Konjiki-do (Golden Hall), a popular photo spot for tourists.
Immerse yourself in the mindful world of these Buddhist monks, with a possibility to join exercises upon request, from starting the day with morning prayers and finding your balance in yoga sessions to manifesting inner peace in meditation.
Serving as a stunning backdrop for your experience, the area is famous for having an array of seasonal flowers, such as vivid azaleas, the drooping branches of cherry blossoms, and more than 100 Japanese maple trees, perfect for adding a splash of reds and oranges to autumn visits.
For another traditional experience that will have you feeling at one with the temple and its natural surroundings, join the Sutra Copying & Matcha Experience, pairing the patient art of copying out Buddhist scripture with the precise art of crafting Japanese matcha.
Nearby, local attractions and dishes vie for your attention. Try simple, yet flavorful Japanese dishes at Municipal Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi, where you can experience the summertime custom of somen nagashi, attempting to grab chilled somen noodles as they swim down a slide in fresh spring water.
Not only is it a way to cool down during the summer, but you can enjoy local dishes such as rice balls, grilled salted trout, carp soup, and carp sashimi.
For those with a sweet tooth and a craving for tropical fruit, head to Mango Forest. Across the street from Kagoshima Flower Park at the southernmost tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, this cafe is in the corner of a tropical fruit cultivation facility that’s famous for its mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, and more. Order their original Tamatebako parfait for a rainbow of flavors and colors, made with three kinds of tropical fruit, or combine two regional specialties in one dish with their mango black pork curry.
With a full stomach and a calm mind, make one last stop at The Yellow Postbox at Nishi-Oyama, where a uniquely yellow postbox is set against Mount Kaimon, known as the “Fuji of Satsuma.” Take a look through the unique souvenirs in the adjacent market, rent bicycles to see more of the area, or simply hop back on the train and keep exploring the wonders of Kagoshima.
Escape to Nansatsu, Kagoshima
Kagoshima Prefecture, and its many unique, nature-blessed regions, is the perfect place to detox from daily life. Immerse yourself in slower, more mindful ways of living and traveling with the sustainable practices of a Japanese temple or the decadent hospitality and seasonal menus of a traditional Japanese inn. This is Japan like you’ve never experienced it before.
